Hi: Just to reinforce earlier messages on this topic. Sailing is, among other things, several sets of complex motor skills. Such sets are not well established until practiced at least 30 times. Planning, patience, and practice are critical to a sense of competence and comfort in the constantly changing conditions encountered by crew and craft. Still learning, cheers- Shawn Boles Grey Mist (M17 #276 1978) -----Original Message----- From: Joe Kidd [mailto:jk@yosemite.net] Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2002 10:07 AM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: Maiden Voyage Adventures Cherri, If we all told stories about our first time out in a new boat, the title of the anthology would be, "Murphy's Law." Just keep the faith, enjoy the adventure and learn from your mistakes. You become a sailor by asking questions, reading, watching others, taking directions, experimenting, making mistakes and learning to plan ahead. Once you get the "feel" of your boat, a kind of symbiotic relationship develops. Sometimes when my boat is completely overwhelmed by a sudden gust, I throw off the sheets and let her take care of herself while I collect my wits. Remember that a well designed sailboat will usually round up into the wind and set there if you just "set her free." As you learn to trust yourself and your craft, the level of pleasure will grow and the moments of frustration will dissipate. As per the difference between a bungee and shock cord, there is very little; they are both elastic lines, but a bungee has hazardous hooks on each end. Joe Kidd M15 #207 "Poco a Poco" _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats